As we head into 2024, small businesses across our region, and the country, are facing myriad challenges. Rising costs, recruitment and retention issues, the climate emergency, pressure to achieve net zero and geopolitical uncertainty to name a few.

A new report published recently by the social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, has claimed that higher-level apprenticeships are being snapped up by the middle classes and have become as sought after as a traditional university degree.